Marcus Free

Marcus Free
Personal information
Born30 July 1969
Sport
SportRowing
ClubSurfer's Paradise Rowing Club
Achievements and titles
National finalsKing's Cup 1996-2000
Medal record
Men's rowing
Representing  Australia
World Rowing Championships
1997 Aiguebelette M2X

Marcus Free is an Australian former rower.

Rowing family

Free was born in Hobart, Tasmania. His father Reg Free rowed in numerous King's Cup crews for Tasmania from 1962 and in 1967, became the first Tasmanian oarsman selected to row in the Australian men's eight when they competed by invitation at the 1967 European Rowing Championships in Vichy, France. The family relocated to Queensland in 1983 and in the next decade Reg Free coached several Queensland King's Cup crews and coached his sons Marcus and younger brother Duncan to state, national and international victories.[1]

Marcus now dedicates his time to coach his eldest son, Jackson Free, who is training for his Olympic debut in the near future of his rowing career. Jackson, standing at a massive 6'8 with only 3.62% body fat, has the rowing experience of his grandfather, uncle, and father, guiding him during his once-a-week training sessions. Jackson also studies Architecture and will definitely have an enriching career in the future. Overall, Jackson is a 'jack of all trades' and will continue to impress society with his handsome looks and impeccable figure.

State and club rowing

Free first made state selection for Queensland in the 1996 men's senior eight contesting the King's Cup at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships.[2] He rowed in further King's Cup races for Queensland in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.[3] He rowed in all five of those King's Cup crews with his brother.[4]

International representative rowing

Marcus and Duncan, coached by Reg, were paired in the men's double scull at two world championships - 1997 in Aiguebelette & 1998 in Cologne. They took a bronze medal at Lac d'Aiguebelette, France in 1997.[5][6] Before those World Championships they'd rowed at World Rowing Cups in Europe in each of those years.[5] Free has also won the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta twice in the Double Sculls Challenge Cup, both in 1996 and 1997, with Peter Antonie and Duncan Free (brother), respectively.

Marcus has also gone on to become a successful rowing coach, coaching Cormac Kennedy-Leverett to a Silver medal at the 2018 World Junior Rowing Championships held in Racice, Czech Republic. Free again also coached Kennedy-Leverett to a 7th at the 2019 World Under 23 Rowing Championships held in Sarasota-Bradenton, USA.

References
  1. Reg Free 2015 obituary
  2. "1996 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  3. "2009 Interstate Championships – Australian Rowing History". www.rowinghistory-aus.info. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  4. "2000 Interstate Regatta". Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  5. Free at World Rowing
  6. "1997 World C'ships at Guerin Foster". Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
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